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Avtar Gill's hats played off news of the day from the death of a celebrity to hot button political issues

Mayor, other local politicians plan to attend tonight's opening at Thunder-Sky Gallery from 6-10 p.m.

Retrospective runs through June 13 at Northside art gallery

After Avtar Gill died last year, a stockpile of the cardboard signs he used to strap atop his head -- earning him the nickname Cincinnati "Hat Man" -- were found at the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition office.

"The thing he was most famous for is what he left behind," said Jason Haap, a political activist and English teacher who got to know Gill at protests through the years.

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Avtar Gill, aka "The Hat Man," sported a hat message while Downtown before the 2010 Civil Rights Game was played at Great American Ball Park. Enquirer file

Raymond Thunder-Sky died in 2004. Before his death he helped found Visionaries + Voices, a non-profit center for outsider artists and artists with disabilities. After his death a gallery, Thunder-Sky, was created in his honor. Provided

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"He was so visible. He commemorated every cultural and political event that the city had," Haap said. "So I thought we should have a political and cultural event for him."

What has transpired is an unexpected "marriage of spirits," said Keith Banner, co-owner of the non-profit Thunder-Sky Inc. Gallery in Northside, which, for the next month, will have the hats and other items of Gills' on display along with art of Gill by local artist Antonio Adams.

The gallery was created in honor of another eccentric Cincinnati icon, Raymond Thunder-Sky. Before Thunder-Sky's death in 2004, he was known to wear a clown suit, a hard hat and carry a toolbox. He would sit down near a construction site, pull art supplies from his toolbox and draw.

"I've always thought the two of them were kindred spirits, that (Gill) occupied the same space as (Thunder-Sky) used to," Haap said, explaining why he approached the gallery to host the event.

Did Thunder-Sky and Gill ever meet?

"I suspect not," Haap said. "But it's fun to think about."

Local politicians, including Mayor John Cranley and Councilman Chris Seelbach, are expected to say a few words about Gill at the show's Friday opening. Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune has loaned the show some of the painted rocks Gill gave him (as he did many other politicians).

"It was obvious Mr. Gill had a great deal of civic pride and cared deeply about Cincinnati," Cranley said. "He is a reminder that no matter our individual circumstances, we can all be creative and inspire other people."

Aaron Kent, another local artist and co-founder of DIY Printing in Walnut Hills, created a seven-color limited edition print of Hat Man from an image Adams created. All of the proceeds will go to the homeless coalition.

Kent said he's always had an admiration for Gill, who, with the statements on his hats, "reminded people of their actions and their surroundings," like one that politely asked others not to pick on the poor.

Once, Haap asked Gill why he spent time crafting them in the motel room in which he lived every morning before heading downtown.

"He explained to me that Jay Leno had his monologue and he had an audience to deliver it to every night," Haap said. "'I don't have a TV show,' he said. 'All I have is this hat.'"